Felicia lost 50 pounds

Update: Felicia lost 50 pounds and has kept the weight off for more than a year. Check out her story and her update.

I can hardly believe it has been a year already. I have kept the weight off and launched my health coaching business, “Victorious & Holistic Health” (www.felicialateef.com). I started leading holistic health and fitness challenges for women. I’m now in my 2nd semester of graduate school in the Masters of Science Program studying Complementary Alternative Medicine with an emphasis in Holistic Nutrition. I also accepted an offer to become a “Champion For Change” Regional Representative for the California Black Women’s Health Project (www.cabwhp.org). I hope to continue being an advocate to help women in areas of health, disease prevention, stress management and fulfilling their purpose with passion. I’m still a full-time working single mom, but with the right support system in place I have been able to share my journey. I feel blessed to help others now as well. Instagram: @Victorious.Holistic.Health

4/2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Felicia lost 50 pounds.  After having a baby, dealing with a divorce and having a serious health challenge, she found a way of living and eating that has allowed her to lose pounds and life a healthier life.  Now she is a health coach helping others to thrive. Here is what she shared with us…

In 2002, I had my beautiful daughter and gained over 50 lbs. during the pregnancy. I was able to lose some weight but continued to struggle for several years never finding the right formula for me. Whatever the latest trend was I would try but then would gain the weight back and sometimes even more because I had implemented a holistic approach to my health.

By 2010, while going through my divorce, I reached my highest weight of 197 pounds. It was no longer baby fat and I was facing my second serious health challenge. I had an emergency biopsy to determine if my multiple cysts were cancerous. By the grace of God, the results came back negative and I knew something needed to change but I did not what the answer was to get my health back on track. I had been working out at the gym after spending a ton of money on fitness trainers but did not have any lasting
lifestyle change results.

It was not until 2012, when I took a leap of faith by incorporating my spiritual beliefs and decided to try a holistic approach to my health and completed an elimination diet. I lost a total 40 lbs by eating clean and incorporating regular exercise. Initially, I followed a wonderful program by JJ Virgin and maintained the weight loss, but I know my body better and have identified the best formula for me. I stopped eating diary, soy, eggs, gluten, sugar, corn, peanuts. That lead to less or no coffee and ice cream, sweets, packed food, fried foods and fast foods. I started eating more leafy greens, berries, aloe, nuts, and chia seeds and drinking more water and herbal teas. For protein, I bulk up on leafy greens first and then fish second and minimize my meat intake to just a few times a month. For exercise, I did a lot of cardio, mostly running and spin class. I also added in free weights for toning.

Since reaching my goal last year, I have gone back to school to add expertise to my journey and now help others as a health coach, mostly through no-cost or low-cost Church and/or local community service programs. My passion has continued and I am now applying to a Master Program in Nutrition that starts in the fall. There is still more personal growth to be done. I have other fitness goals on toning and endurance to achieve and now know that I can and will do it.

I am a single mom and have a full-time career in marketing at a top entertainment company. I enjoy servicing in the leadership groups at my church and ministry with our choir. Spending time with family and friends is key for me. I have a love the fitness, cooking and performing arts. The BEST is yet to come! If I can do it anyone can do it.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 197 lbs. My current weight is 147-151 lbs. I’m 5’ 7” tall

How long did your transformation take?
It took me 6 months to loss the weight.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
To stay positive and push through the challenging workouts and healthy meals even with you don’t feel like because eventually it will become routine and ultimately your way of life.

Be open to trying new food and new exercises. You won’t know what works best for you otherwise. When you find the cardio exercise or favorite veggie make it apart of your regular routine.

Surround yourself with a loving support system. If this is a challenge, then be willing to end toxic relationships with people and with food. Your life is worth the fight to finish the race strong.